Ingredients
Serves 6
The Heart of the Salad
1 tbsp olive oil
1 lb lean ground beef (90% lean—fat = flavor, but lean keeps it light!)
2 tbsp taco seasoning (Lawry’s or homemade—see Joye’s tip!)
1 medium head iceberg lettuce, finely chopped (crisp, cool, traditional!)
1 large tomato, diced (ripe but firm—no mush!)
1–2 cups Nacho Cheese Doritos, lightly crushed (Frito-Lay—no substitutes!)
The Golden Dressing
1 cup Catalina dressing (Kraft or Wish-Bone—sweet, tangy, iconic!)
For Garnish (Joye’s Touch!)
Sour cream (full-fat, for cool contrast)
Guacamole (homemade or store-bought—your fave!)
Optional: Sliced black olives, shredded cheddar, or pickled jalapeños
✅ Joye’s Pro Tips
Doritos secret: Crush by hand in a zip-top bag—not a food processor (you want shards, not dust!).
Taco seasoning hack: Make your own: 1 tbsp chili powder + 1½ tsp cumin + 1 tsp garlic powder + ½ tsp oregano + ¼ tsp cayenne.
Chill the bowl: Pop your serving bowl in the freezer 10 mins before assembling—keeps salad crisp longer.
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Brown the Beef (The Quiet Foundation)
→ Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat.
→ Add ground beef and taco seasoning; cook 6–8 minutes, breaking into small crumbles, until no pink remains.
→ Drain most fat (leave ~1 tsp for flavor); let cool 5 minutes.
2. Prep the Greens (With Gentle Hands)
→ Wash and dry iceberg lettuce; chop into ½-inch pieces.
→ Dice tomato; pat dry with paper towels (wet tomatoes = soggy salad).
→ Place lettuce in a large chilled bowl.
3. Assemble with Love
→ Add tomatoes, cooled beef, and crushed Doritos to the bowl.
→ Pour Catalina dressing over top.
→ Toss gently with tongs—just until coated (over-tossing = mushy Doritos).
4. Serve with Joy
→ Divide into individual bowls or serve family-style.
→ Top with sour cream dollops and guacamole scoops.
→ Joye’s ritual: Say “Ready?” before passing the bowl.
Tips for Perfect Salad (Joye-Approved!)
🔸 Doritos at the end: Add them just before tossing—keeps them crisp.
🔸 Chill everything: Cold beef, cold lettuce, cold dressing = maximum crunch.
🔸 Don’t overdress: Start with ¾ cup dressing; add more if needed.
🔸 Serve immediately: Doritos soften in 10 mins—eat while the magic lasts!
🔸 Say “Ready?” before serving. It’s not superstition—it’s ritual. And rituals make food taste better.
Serving Suggestions (Joye’s Favorites!)
🥤 Classic pairing: Ice-cold sweet tea or lemonade in Mason jars
🌮 Taco night twist: Serve in hard taco shells for “walking tacos”
🍞 Brunch darling: Top with a fried egg and hot sauce
🎁 Potluck star: Pack in a vintage glass bowl; garnish with extra Doritos on top
Storage & Make-Ahead Tips
Fridge (unmixed): Prep components separately; assemble day-of.
Never store dressed salad—Doritos turn to sad mush.
Leftover magic: Layer undressed salad in a jar—lettuce on bottom, Doritos on top. Dress just before eating.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I use romaine instead of iceberg?
A: Yes! But iceberg’s crispness holds up best to dressing. Romaine wilts faster.
Q: Why Catalina and not ranch?
A: Catalina’s sweet-tangy zip cuts through the beef’s richness—authentic Tex-Mex tradition!
Q: Can I make it vegetarian?
A: Absolutely! Use plant-based crumbles + 1 tbsp soy sauce for umami depth.
Q: Are Doritos gluten-free?
A: No—Frito-Lay Doritos contain wheat. Use Santitas corn chips for GF.
Q: Can I skip the sour cream?
A: Yes—but it balances the heat. Try Greek yogurt for tang without heaviness.
Allergy Information
Contains: Wheat (Doritos), dairy (sour cream), soy (in some dressings)
Gluten-free option: Yes—with GF corn chips and verified GF seasoning
Dairy-free option: Yes—skip sour cream; use vegan guacamole
⚠️ Always verify labels.
Nutrition Facts (Per Serving — 6 servings)
| Calories | 420 |
| Protein | 22g |
| Fat | 24g |
| Saturated Fat | 8g |
| Carbs | 28g |
| Fiber | 3g |
| Sugar | 10g |
| Sodium | 980mg |
Values are estimates. Varies by brands and toppings.
Final Thought
This salad doesn’t arrive with fanfare.
It’s tossed in a bowl on a warm afternoon—Doritos gleaming like gold coins, beef steaming softly, Catalina dressing pooling like sunset light—until the kitchen smells like childhood summers and slow afternoons.
